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Cora Hartson

cora hartson

November 30, 1935 ~ March 15, 2021

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Cora LaVonne Hartson age 85 of Fredericksburg, IA, passed away peacefully Monday, March 15, 2021, at UnityPoint Health - Allen Hospital in Waterloo, IA. Due to complications from emergency surgery late Saturday night. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 20, 2021, at Peace United Church of Christ in Fredericksburg with Rev. Scott Smith officiating. Interment will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery, Fredericksburg with David Bormann, Joel Franzen, Jamie Beatty, Brett Franzen, Justin Franzen, Brittany McNeil, Tyler Hartson, Trenton Hartson, Brianna Drewelow, Morgan Price, and Trey Hartson serving as pallbearers. Friends may greet the family from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Friday, March 19, 2021, at Hugeback - Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in Fredericksburg where there will be a 6:30 p.m. Scripture Service. Visitation continues an hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Cora LaVonne Hartson was born on November 30, 1935, to Raymond and Lulu (Coen) Shannon in Nashua, IA and she grew up in the Nashua, Greene, and Powersville area before her family moved to Fredericksburg. LaVonne attended country school before going to Fredericksburg High School, where she played 6-on-6 basketball for the Falcons and served as the school’s drum majorette before graduating with the Class of 1954. She graduated from Upper Iowa University with a degree in elementary education and began her teaching career in a one-room schoolhouse just north of Fredericksburg. She also taught at Fredericksburg Elementary before accepting an offer in 1964 to join the teaching staff at Tripoli Elementary, where she taught until she retired in 2000. LaVonne had a gift when it came to teaching. She had high expectations of her students, but they also knew that their teacher would always be their advocate. Countless times over the years, LaVonne’s children have heard the phrase “she was the best teacher I ever had.” She met James Hartson in high school; he was a year ahead of LaVonne in school. They began dating, fell in love, and were married on July 14, 1957, at the Peace United Church of Christ in Fredericksburg, and their family grew to include Diana, Dorreen, Dennis, and Daryl. LaVonne and Jim loved to go dancing and always were members of a card club. LaVonne also enjoyed sewing, and her kids remember the matching outfits Mom made for them. They will also tell you that their mom was a social butterfly; whether it be when out dancing, playing cards, or when the family went camping. In LaVonne’s world, everyone was a friend. Three years after she retired from teaching, LaVonne’s husband passed away, and although it was difficult for her to lose the love of her life, she dealt with her sadness by becoming even more involved. She served on the Fredericksburg Library Board, the Plum Creek Golf Course Board, and the Plum Creek Art Gallery Council. She was particularly proud that she was able to play a part in bringing an art gallery and studio to the small town she called home for much of her life. She was an active member of the Peace Church, belonged to Curves, and loved quilting and going on quilting retreats; in other words, she never had a problem “filling” her days. She also enjoyed a glass of wine or two when she was with her family and friends playing cards or just visiting. But the best days for LaVonne came when she was able to be with her 11 grandchildren and her 17 great-grandchildren. She was a great mom, don’t get us wrong, but she was a fabulous grandma who loved showing off her uniquely painted fingernails to one and all. LaVonne was a remarkable woman who touched the lives of so many through her 85 years. She created lifelong memories for her children, her grandchildren, her “greats,” her friends, and the hundreds of school children she taught over the years. As sad as they are at her passing, they know her faith has reunited her with Jim and the couple is dancing and playing cards in heaven. LaVonne is survived by four children, Diana Bisping, Dorreen (Jim) Franzen, Dennis (Sheryl) Hartson, Daryl (Kimberlee) Hartson all of Fredericksburg, IA; 11 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren with one on the way; one brother, Duane Coen of Decorah, IA, many cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jim in 2003; one sister, Carol Annett; three step-brothers, Clarence, John, and Raymond Shannon; one step-sister, Allene Roeder; and many aunts and uncles.

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  9. Our deepest sympathies to all of you. Thoughts and prayers go out to you all now and as you face the difficult days ahead.

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  10. So sorry to hear this. I got to know LaVonne when we had a Curves in New Hampton. Such a fun, sweet person. Some of the Cirves gals would meet for lunch from time to time and always had fun conversations. Sending prayers to her family.

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  14. So sorry to hear of your loss. I know how close you always were and how much you will miss her. As trite as it is, you need to try to remember all those great times you had with her.

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  17. LaVonne was my first and fourth grade teacher in Tripoli. She gave me a good start to school. Kerri Leonard Tegtmeier

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  21. So sorry to hear of Mrs. Hartson’s passing. Loved having her in 5th grade. I still remember when she had us create a class constitution. She was firm, but she was very kind as well. Sending my prayers! Emily (Kuecker) Young

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  22. So sorry! Sending my sympathy to all the family and friends of LaVonne’s. She was a great friend! Loved the time I spent with her quilting 🙂 Hold tight to the memories! Sending Hugs & Prayers!

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  23. My sympathy goes out to the whole family. She was a very happy person with a precious smile. May your memories bring comfort in these difficult days ahead.

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  30. So sad to hear this, LaVonne was one of our children’s Third grade teacher at Tripoli. LaVonne will be sorely missed 😞

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  35. Now comes the time to say goodbye to my 1st grade teacher. LaVonne always has a smile & stayed youthful her entire life. My sympathy to you all.

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  36. My deepest sympathy to all of LaVonne’s family. I know my mom enjoyed spending time with her. Diana, Dorreen, Dennis, and Daryl, may your memories of your mom be held close in your heart. Lisa Herold (Schoonover)

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  39. To Lavonne’s Family Don & I are sorry for your loss. Sending Hugs & Prayers Your Way ❤️🙏🏻❤️

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  44. Our sympathy to LaVonne’s family. Her warm smile and friendly spirit will never be forgotten. May you find comfort in your memories.

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  46. We send our sincere condolences to Lavonne’s family. She always had a smile and upbeat attitude! She was a great friend and neighbor etc. Nobody ever enjoyed sitting around the campfire and visiting more than she did; Great Memories!!

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  47. Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss… Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.

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  49. My first memories of Lavonne were that she was our pretty 2nd grade teacher who read Mary Poppins to our class. Years later, I accidentally bounced a rock off Dorreen’s head, and I was so grateful she forgave me. She always made me feel welcome in her home, but treated us like her own kids….never taking any guff. As the years passed, she was a friend, and I always admired her. She touched many lives in a positive manner and will be missed. Chris Crowe

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  51. Thinking of everyone with our deepest and heartfelt sympathies and sending all our love!

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  52. LaVonne will be deeply missed. We always enjoyed her homemade Christmas cards, & all the hospitality she showered us during our visits back to Iowa.

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  53. Please accept our deepest sympathies and condolences in the passing of LaVonne. She was a great lady, great teacher to our children and beloved colleague🙏❤️

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  54. Your mother was always such a pleasant lady. I always enjoyed our visits together as she always brought a smile and showed her enthusiasm in everything she did. Please accept our deepest sympathy.

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  55. LaVonne was one of the nicest people and always fun to visit with when ran into her here or there. Deepest sympathy to her family.

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  65. I am very sorry to see this. I was a member of Curves when Lavonne and the other ladies from Fredericksburg attended in West Union. Lavonne was absolute joy! I remember so many stories she told of her family, the library board, and the art gallery. My deep sympathies. She will be missed by many.

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  67. So sorry . She had the best laugh. Does anyone happen to have an address? I’d like to send a memorial.

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  69. Our deepest sympathy and prayers to all of Lavonne’s family. Will remember her kindness as a teacher, friend to all taking the time to give Wes a ride in her golf cart around dairy day so he wouldn’t have to walk. Hold her love and memories close to your hearts. 💜

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  73. One of my BFF’s…. I will forever be grateful for the many ways Lavonne blessed my life with her wisdom, humor, kindness, encouragement, spirituality, and fun. Her laughter and twinkle in her eyes still make me smile through the difficulty of this loss. My deepest sympathy to her family….she loved you all so much and was very proud of each one of you with your unique passions, dreams and successes. May God fill our souls with cherished memories of the goodness and love she shared with us all.❤🙏

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  75. I am so sorry for your families loss, LaVonne was a wonderful person, I worked at Curves in West Union three days a week, and just loved to see LaVonne and the other two Fredericksburg girls come, we had some good laughs!! Probably about eight years ago I just got my first IPhone, and of course they come with no instructions! I was having a terrible time using it, and the teacher your Mom was – helped me! Here she was almost 20 years older than me! She was a truly wonderful woman! I am going to send a memorial to the Fredericksburg Library for your Mom. I hope you get this note, still not the best with my IPhone. 😍

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  76. To the Hartson family you have my deepest sympathy. Mrs. Hartson was a good teacher a good family friend and I wish I could have had her when I got to 5th grade at Tripoli she will always be missed From Brittany Kuecker

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